november 2004
ARTS
Day students learn about Arab music and culture
Movement for Learning program is an exciting new entry
Not-So-Haunted-House displays drama talents
6th grade arts rotation
Movement for Learning program is an exciting new entry
by M.R. and G.T.
Movement for Learning is a new arts rotation program that gives the 6th grade the “...unique opportunity” to “...learn how to use their bodies through movement activities. There are 4 main areas that are covered in class: cooperative movement games, yoga and pilates, fitness techniques, and world dances,” says N.B. and J.B., dance and health teachers, who teach the rotation along with A. T., a Day gym teacher, and B. A., a dance intern from Lesley University.
“This program is new to the Day community and all 6th graders take this class,” says J.B. It “fits into the 6th grade schedule and is a great way for 6th graders to become more aware of how to take care of their bodies,” says N.B.
“The goal is for students to learn about fitness, deal with stress, and have fun moving and dancing together,” says N.B.
Another goal is “for students to learn how to work together,” says J.B. Movement for Learning takes place either in the auditorium or the first floor gym. Also N.B. adds, “We have the luxury and great fortune of using the new fitness equipment in the exercise room.”
N.B. says that “...the students are doing a great job. I feel that all students are benefiting from this experience, and it’s an amazing sight to see an entire 6th grade class doing yoga postures.”
DAYTIME review
Not-So-Haunted-House displays drama talents
by J. C. and B. M.-C.
The Not-So-Haunted-House entertained scores of Day students on Friday, October the 29th. J.S.'s 6th grade elective drama classes presented a 5-minute performance.
Upon entry, students were greeted with a "BOO" and the first group of drama students plunged into a scary poem. Groups of 5-7 students orally-interpreted an Hallowe'en poem each, while shining a flashlight on their faces to cause an eerie glow. Costumes enhanced the experience [Assisting in the preparation of this article was G. T.].
DAYTIME review
Day students learn about Arab music and culture
by R.O. and J.T.
Karim Nagi Mohammed presented an assembly of Arabic Music and Culture on Monday, October the 25th for Day’s 6th and 7th graders in the Day Auditorium. Mohammed was sponsored by the Day P. T. O. Creative Arts Committee.
On the morning of October the 25th, students of F. A. Day viewed a performance by a man named Karim Nagi Mohammed. Mohammed is an Arab-American, as he pointed out to the audience. Although he lives in the U. S. he comes from Egypt, and does certain things to keep up the Arab culture. These things include playing music, eating the food, keeping up his former religion, and speaking the language. His goal is to provide an enriching and educational introduction to the Arab culture for students.
During the presentation, Mohammed displayed several instruments, telling how they were made and the purpose they served, and then giving a demonstration. Several of these instruments resembled and sounded like U. S. instruments, like the Riqq, which looks like a tambourine and the Segat, which looks like castanets. There were also several drums, including the Tubla, and the Duff. Some other instruments included the Oud, a lute; the Nay, a flute; the Qanun, a harp; and the Buzuq, a guitar. These instruments were made from materials such as animal skins, brass, wood, and recycled items.
Throughout the show, Mohammed asked the audience questions. These questions received different reaction, “I liked [the performance] but I thought there were too many questions for the audience,” said A. F. on the Coral Team. Others, however, enjoyed it. “I thought it was very interesting. We could learn a lot from it,” S. A. on the Coral Team commented.
Many things were explained. Mohammed talked a lot about sound, as well as culture and purpose. Students enjoyed it and learned a lot, but they were not the only ones. D. S., Jade Team English teacher, said, “I thought it was fabulous. Stupendous. Fantastic. I loved it.”
The Arabic culture is thousands of years old. It originated in the Arabian Peninsula, but has spread to the 23 Arab countries. Music and dance are highly valued in the Arab culture. A melodic system to align scales and note combinations was developed there, and instruments and singing has been performed together for centuries.
Dancing is also an important part of the culture. The people dance at many different kinds of ceremonies, such as weddings and births. There are several different kinds of dance, including female dances and male dances. Dance is closely related to music, so many dancers can also play an instrument.
Mohammed currently works at the New England Conservatory of Music, in the music department. He was born in Egypt, but became a U. S. citizen as a young child. Both his parents were Arabic.
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